Brisingr

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2008

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Chapters 52-54

Chapter 52 Summary: “A Rider in Full”

The next morning, Eragon comes downstairs to admire the finished sword and is amazed by its beauty, intricacy, and blue hue. After some trials, he becomes impressed with its dexterity, and his ability to cut through metal without a scratch. Rhunon reminds him that the sword needs a name, and after deliberation and Saphira’s input, he calls it Brisingr; when he says its name aloud for the first time, the blade catches fire, emitting a blue flame. Rhunon guesses that the effect is from his magic being imbued in the sword, or because he has found the sword’s true name, either of which would be good reasons.

Chapter 53 Summary: “Greaves and Bracers”

Katrina helps Roran prepare for battle by helping him into his armor and securing it for him. She wishes he did not have to go, asking that anyone else do it in his place. She ties a red handkerchief to his belt so everyone will know she stands with him. Roran leaves for the front line, assembling next to the Urgal named Yarbog. With a horn sounding at daybreak, the men run headlong toward an 80-foot wall, arrows raining down around them: the siege of Feinster has officially begun.

Chapter 54 Summary: “Leave-Taking”

Before leaving Ellesméra, Eragon feels driven to visit Sloan. When he and Saphira arrive, they stay back and watch the man before alerting him to their presence. When Sloan does sense his presence, he tells Eragon to go and leave him alone. Eragon pretends to be an elf visiting him, and Sloan growls and openly complains; Eragon leaves without revealing his identity.

His final stop is the Crags of Tel’Naeir; he is shocked to see Glaedr saddled and both he and Oromis prepared for battle, complete with the sword Naegling. The pair will be traveling to Queen Islanzadí in Gil’ead, having marched there from Ceunon to lay siege on the city. They are prepared to fight and be seen, as to intimidate the opposition and scare Galbatorix. Oromis assures them that despite their handicaps they are prepared to fight because of the power held in Naegling, and they are even prepared to die. They ask Eragon and Saphira to keep Glaedr’s Eldunarí; that way, they can always stay in communication and Eragon can tap into Glaedr’s stores of knowledge. Glaedr expels his Eldunarí; the golden, spiky gem is about a foot in diameter and has to be muscled out through his mouth. When Eragon takes the gem, he is overwhelmed by the dragon’s consciousness, and is relieved that the feeling dissipates when he wraps it in a blanket. Their mentors warn them not to speak to anyone about the Eldunarí, with some exceptions including Nasuada, Arya, and Blödhgarm and his spellcasters. They ready themselves, and then all four begin their journey.

Chapters 52-54 Analysis

The reader is finally rewarded with a reason for the book’s title in Chapter 52, where Eragon names his newly crafted, bespoke sword “Brisingr” and upon uttering the word, his sword erupts with fire. This book leaves the rest of the riddle intact; one must read on into the fourth volume to find out more about Solembum’s prediction. As the reader approaches the end of volume three, they can begin to predict what answers may lie in the final pages of this novel and what Paolini has chosen to save for the fourth book. Who were the “Wild Ones” and why were they visiting Angela? Why do Roran and Katrina see a ship made of grass the night they are disclosing future plans for their child’s wellbeing? What is the significance of Eragon’s discovery of Tenga, the ancient man whose history is tied up with Angela’s? Why does Oromir know Angela by a different name? These and many more questions may remain unanswered in this volume.

Without calling the reader’s attention to it, Paolini places Roran next to the Urgal he fought during his first jaunt as leader of a contingent of soldiers for the Varden, when the Urgals were torturing an imprisoned member of Galbatorix’s army. At the time, Yarbog challenged Roran to a duel and lost; now the two stand side by side, prepared to flank one another in the front lines of combat during the siege of Feinster. On the other hand, Eragon’s reunion with Sloan is not nearly as harmonious. Eragon finds himself disappointed in the old man’s lack of progress. He is still blind, both physically and mentally, blocked off from accepting help from the elves and from becoming a contributing member of his community. He has isolated himself further and is no closer to changing his true name.

In a series of chapters that reveal secrets and tie up loose threads, Chapter 54 finds Eragon in possession of Glaedr’s Eldunarí, with the two Riders and their dragons setting off for what could be their final battles. It becomes clear now why Oromis did not feel he could be responsible for keeping the photograph of Eragon’s mother, while he was preparing for battle and possible death. Oromis states outright that he is prepared to die; while looking backward to answer some of the readers’ questions, this chapter also foreshadows some of the events to come as the reader prepares to surge into battle with Eragon and Saphira at Feinster and now also Oromis and Glaedr in Gil’ead.